IS 15811 : 2008Long-range water-cum-foam monitor with self-inducting, aspirating and non-aspirating jet and spray/fog nozzle forfire fighting -Specification
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IS 15811:2008 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for long-range water-cum-foam monitor with self-inducting, aspirating and non-aspirating jet and spray/fog nozzle forfire fighting -specification. This standard specifies the requirements for materials, construction, performance, and testing of long-range water-cum-foam monitors. It covers monitors with self-inducting capabilities and various nozzle types (aspirating, non-aspirating, spray/fog) designed for large-scale industrial firefighting applications.
Long-range water-cum-foam monitor with self-inducting, aspirating and non-aspirating jet and spray/fog nozzle forfire fighting -Specification
BIM-relevant code. See the BIM Hub for ISO 19650, IFC, and LOD/LOIN frameworks used alongside it.
Practical Notes
! Ensure the monitor material (e.g., SS 316L, Gunmetal) is selected based on the corrosivity of the installation environment (e.g., marine, chemical).
! Verify the foam induction percentage during commissioning tests using a refractometer to ensure effective foam generation as per design.
! The specified 'long-range' performance is highly dependent on achieving the required inlet pressure at the monitor base; hydraulic calculations for the supply piping are critical.
NFPA 11-2021National Fire Protection Association, USA
HighCurrent
Standard for Low-, Medium-, and High-Expansion Foam
Covers foam system design, installation, and maintenance, including performance requirements for monitors (discharge devices).
UL 162, 8th EditionUnderwriters Laboratories, USA
HighCurrent
Standard for Safety for Foam Equipment and Liquid Concentrates
Defines safety, construction, and performance testing requirements for foam equipment components, including monitors.
EN 13565-2:2018European Committee for Standardization, Europe
HighCurrent
Fixed firefighting systems - Foam systems - Part 2: Design, construction and maintenance
Specifies requirements for the design and construction of foam systems, including the monitors used within them.
FM 1321FM Approvals, USA
MediumCurrent
Approval Standard for Foam Extinguishing Systems
Provides approval testing criteria for components of foam systems, focusing on loss prevention and property protection.
Key Differences
≠IS 15811 specifies a very strict foam induction tolerance of +10%/-0% of the nominal rate (e.g., 3.0% to 3.3% for a 3% setting). In contrast, NFPA 11 allows a wider band, typically not less than the rated concentration and not more than 30% above it (e.g., 3.0% to 3.9%).
≠IS 15811 mandates a specific hydrostatic body test at 21 kgf/cm² (~21 bar). UL 162 requires a higher pressure, typically twice the maximum rated working pressure but not less than 350 psi (~24 bar), indicating a more stringent pressure test.
≠The Indian Standard is prescriptive about materials, explicitly listing stainless steel, gunmetal, or bronze. International standards like UL 162 are performance-based, requiring materials to pass specific corrosion resistance tests (e.g., salt spray tests) without mandating the specific alloy.
≠IS 15811 defines a maximum operating torque of 140 Nm for handwheels. Most international standards do not specify a fixed torque value but instead rely on performance-based criteria, ensuring the monitor is easily operable by one person throughout its range of motion.
Key Similarities
≈Both IS 15811 and equivalent international standards cover the same core equipment: long-range monitors capable of discharging water, aspirated foam, and non-aspirated foam solutions.
≈All standards require performance testing to verify key operational parameters, such as flow rate at a given pressure and the effective horizontal throw range of the water/foam stream.
≈A hydrostatic pressure test to ensure the structural integrity of the monitor body is a mandatory requirement in both the IS code and its international counterparts, although the specific pressures vary.
≈The principle and performance requirements for self-inducting monitors, which use a Venturi mechanism to draw foam concentrate, are recognized and specified in both IS 15811 and standards like UL 162.
≈All relevant standards specify requirements for the operational movement of the monitor, including the range of horizontal rotation (swiveling) and vertical movement (elevation/depression).
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Hydrostatic Pressure Test
21 kgf/cm² (~21 bar) for 2.5 minutes
2 times max working pressure, but not less than 350 psi (~24 bar)
UL 162
Foam Induction Tolerance (3% nominal)
3.0% to 3.3% (+10%, -0%)
3.0% to 3.9% (not less than nominal, not more than 30% above)
NFPA 11
Nominal Operating Pressure
7 kgf/cm² (~7 bar)
100 psi (~6.9 bar)
Common practice in UL/NFPA
Body Material
Prescriptive: Stainless Steel (IS 3444), Gunmetal (IS 318), etc.
Performance-based: Any material that passes specified corrosion resistance tests.
UL 162
Paint Finish
Fire Red or as specified by purchaser
Corrosion-resistant coating, color often specified by end-user or authority (e.g., red)
General practice in NFPA/UL
Horizontal Range (for ~3500 lpm monitor)
Minimum 60 meters in still air
Performance-based; range is verified by test but no single minimum value is specified for all monitors.
UL 162
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values7
Quick Reference Values
Minimum flow rate2000, 3000, or 4000 LPM
Minimum horizontal throw (jet) for 2000 LPM monitor60 m
Minimum horizontal throw (jet) for 4000 LPM monitor70 m
Hydrostatic test pressure2.3 MPa for 2 minutes
Foam induction rate3% or 6%
Monitor vertical travel range-45° to +90°
Monitor horizontal travel range360° continuous
Tables & Referenced Sections
Key Tables
Table 1 - Performance Requirements for Long-range Water-cum-Foam Monitors
What is the minimum required throw for a 2000 LPM monitor specified in this standard?+
A minimum horizontal throw of 60 metres in jet stream mode is required as per Table 1.
What materials are acceptable for the monitor body?+
The body can be made of cast stainless steel (Grade CF8M of IS 6913), gunmetal (LTB 2 of IS 318), or other corrosion-resistant alloys as specified in Clause 5.
What pressure test is required for the monitor body?+
The monitor body must withstand a hydrostatic pressure of 2.3 MPa for 2 minutes without any leakage, as per Clause 9.2.
What are the standard foam induction rates for these monitors?+
The monitors are designed for either 3% or 6% foam concentrate induction, as specified in Clause 8.1.